Is plastic surgery the answer this summer?

Kori Ellis is an editor and writer based in San Antonio, TX, where she lives with her husband and four children. At SheKnows, she writes about parenting, fashion, beauty and other lifestyle topics. Additionally, Kori has been published i...

Under the knife

Though much is said about embracing your natural beauty, more and more women opt for plastic surgery each year. And though the standard boob jobs and tummy tucks remain commonplace, some more unusual plastic surgeries are becoming increasingly popular -- particularly as we head into summer.

Umbilicoplasty

Umbilicoplasty -- belly button revison surgery -- is growing in popularity. And more than 90 percent of those getting the procedure are women. With low-rise jeans, bare-midriff tops and teeny tiny bikinis, many ladies desire a more aesthetically pleasing belly button. We don't see anything wrong with having an "outie," but if you do, surgeons such as Dr. Richard Chaffoo are willing to do the surgery.

Umbilicoplasty generally requires only local anesthesia and can take 30 to 90 minutes for the whole procedure. Specialists say the results are permanent, barring significant weight gain or pregnancy.

Toe tuck

This surgery removes corns from the pinky toe and makes the toe slimmer. The toe tuck allows feet to fit better (and look better) in sandals. Toe shortening is also possible. Some patients have the second toe shortened if it's much longer than the big toe. And of course, bunion removal remains another option.

Cosmetic foot surgery is somewhat controversial. Some doctors will do it only when a medical reason exists, while others -- such as Dr. Oliver Zong, surgical director of NYC FootCare -- offer several cosmetic procedures for beautifying the feet.

Labia majora remodeling

The labia majora (outer lips) of vagina can look "puffy" in swimsuits and tight shorts. Some women opt for labia majora remodeling surgery to decrease the size of the enlarged outer lips.

The surgery is considered relatively minor and takes about 90 minutes under general anesthesia. This type of surgery is often combined with other procedures, such as a tummy tuck or liposuction. Some women also have fat removed from the pubic fat pad during the surgery.

Labiaplasty (or labia minora reduction) surgery is also growing in popularity. During this surgery, the inner lips are contoured or reduced. Dr. Gary J Alter is just one of the many surgeons who specialize in female genital surgery.